WSP Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Fri, 05 May 2023 05:55:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 Case study: How WSP creates economic value for its stakeholders https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-wsp-creates-economic-value-for-its-stakeholders/ Fri, 05 May 2023 05:54:53 +0000 https://sustaincase.com/?p=17751 WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. This case study is based on the 2020 Global ESG Report by WSP, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, […]

The post Case study: How WSP creates economic value for its stakeholders appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. WSP’s Operational Excellence pillar focuses on creating value for its clients, people, shareholders, and all other stakeholders.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2020 Global ESG Report by WSP, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Managing its resources in an efficient manner so as to generate sustainable, long-term value for its investors and other stakeholders, is a top priority for WSP. In order to create economic value for its stakeholders WSP took action to:

  • create economic value for employees
  • create economic value for subconsultants
  • create economic value for shareholders
  • create economic value for the government

What are the material issues the company has identified? 

In its 2020 Global ESG Report WSP identified a range of material issues, such as ethical business practices, diversity and equal opportunity, employee training and education, occupational health and safety. Among these, creating economic value for its stakeholders stands out as a key material issue for WSP.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups WSP engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 

 

 

 ·      Employee surveys

·      Townhall meetings

·      Information cascaded from leadership, via team meetings

·      Global internal communications (intranet, emails, newsletters) and local intranets

·      Annual Report

·      ESG Report

·      Leadership interviews

·      Social media campaigns for World Observance Days
Investors and analysts

 

 ·      Investor relations activities including: investor days, meetings, roadshows, conferences, discussion with senior executives and market sector experts, conference calls

·      Website postings

·      Financial reports

·      Press releases and media relations

·      Annual Information Form

·      Annual Report

·      ESG Report

·      Annual Meeting of Shareholders

·      Site visits to explain WSP’s project work
Clients

 

 

 

 ·      Project communications

·      Project feedback received from clients

·      Client interviews

·      Thought leadership communications

·      Workshops and panels during events
Business partners, including subcontractors, joint ventures and consortiums ·      Project communications

 
Suppliers ·      Procurement process

·      Questionnaires in onboarding process

·      Engaging with major suppliers on carbon footprint of goods and services
Governments, including regulatory authorities ·      Project communications involving government agencies

 
Industry bodies ·      Participation on key industry association committees

·      Attendance at industry functions

·      Sponsorship of industry events and research

·      Trade show displays

·      Thought leadership
Local communities

 

 ·      Consultation on behalf of clients within projects

·      Local community involvement/charity work

·      Sponsorship and donations

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics WSP engaged with its stakeholders through questionnaires and individual conversations. External stakeholders included investors and clients, while internal stakeholders included employees, regional sustainability leaders and corporate function leaders overseeing areas related to WSP’s environmental, social and governance impacts.

What actions were taken by WSP to create economic value for its stakeholders?

In its 2020 Global ESG Report WSP reports that it took the following actions for creating economic value for its stakeholders:

  • Creating economic value for employees
  • In 2020, WSP spent 2B CAD in personnel costs.
  • Creating economic value for subconsultants
  • In 2020, WSP paid 9B CAD to subconsultants.
  • Creating economic value for shareholders
  • In 2020, WSP spent 3M CAD in cash dividends paid to shareholders.
  • Creating economic value for the government
  • In 2020, WSP paid 5M CAD in income taxes.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed

Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

This case study is based on published information by WSP, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.wsp.com/en-GL/investors/reports-and-filings/esg-report

Note to WSP: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How WSP creates economic value for its stakeholders appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How WSP promotes sustainability among its suppliers https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-wsp-promotes-sustainability-among-its-suppliers/ Wed, 20 Jul 2022 06:07:58 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=13876 As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, WSP provides engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. This case study is based on the 2020 Global ESG Report by WSP, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, […]

The post Case study: How WSP promotes sustainability among its suppliers appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, WSP provides engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. WSP is committed to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges the future will bring, and it is important that its suppliers do the same.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2020 Global ESG Report by WSP, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Working with approximately 40,000 suppliers around the globe, WSP seeks to incorporate corporate social responsibility factors into the selection and onboarding process, so as to effectively promote sustainability across its supply chain. In order to promote sustainability among its suppliers WSP took action to:

  • implement a Third Party Code of Conduct
  • promote environmental sustainability

What are the material issues the company has identified? 

In its 2020 Global ESG Report WSP identified a range of material issues, such as ethical business practices, occupational health and safety, environmental compliance, diversity and equal opportunity. Among these, promoting sustainability among its suppliers stands out as a key material issue for WSP.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups WSP engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 

 

 

 ·      Employee surveys

·      Townhall meetings

·      Information cascaded from leadership, via team meetings

·      Global internal communications (intranet, emails, newsletters) and local intranets

·      Annual Report

·      ESG Report

·      Leadership interviews

·      Social media campaigns for World Observance Days
Investors and analysts

 

 ·      Investor relations activities including: investor days, meetings, roadshows, conferences, discussion with senior executives and market sector experts, conference calls

·      Website postings

·      Financial reports

·      Press releases and media relations

·      Annual Information Form

·      Annual Report

·      ESG Report

·      Annual Meeting of Shareholders

·      Site visits to explain WSP’s project work
Clients

 

 

 

 ·      Project communications

·      Project feedback received from clients

·      Client interviews

·      Thought leadership communications

·      Workshops and panels during events
Business partners, including subcontractors, joint ventures and consortiums ·      Project communications

 
Suppliers ·      Procurement process

·      Questionnaires in onboarding process

·      Engaging with major suppliers on carbon footprint of goods and services
Governments, including regulatory authorities ·      Project communications involving government agencies

 
Industry bodies ·      Participation on key industry association committees

·      Attendance at industry functions

·      Sponsorship of industry events and research

·      Trade show displays

·      Thought leadership
Local communities

 

 ·      Consultation on behalf of clients within projects

·      Local community involvement/charity work

·      Sponsorship and donations

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics WSP engaged with both internal and external stakeholders through questionnaires and individual conversations. External stakeholders included investors and clients, while internal stakeholders included employees, regional sustainability leaders and corporate function leaders overseeing areas related to WSP’s environmental, social and governance impacts.

What actions were taken by WSP to promote sustainability among its suppliers?

In its 2020 Global ESG Report WSP reports that it took the following actions for promoting sustainability among its suppliers:

  • Implementing a Third Party Code of Conduct
  • WSP’s Third Party Code of Conduct summarises WSP’s values as they apply to third parties, by providing a set of governing principles for ethical behaviour when interacting with WSP or on its behalf. Through existing processes and WSP’s new third-party supplier vetting system, third parties are required to certify their agreement to WSP’s Third Party Code of Conduct and respond to a questionnaire which includes mandatory sustainability questions. The process classifies third parties according to Ethics and Compliance risk factors, while also gathering data on other factors such as financials, health and safety, quality credentials and sustainability. Once vetted, WSP carries out ongoing monitoring, and the third parties undergo periodic re-qualification.
  • Promoting environmental sustainability
  • Corporate sustainability is one of WSP’s procurement guiding principles. WSP’s global Request for Proposals template includes questions for larger suppliers on whether they have a sustainability policy or plan. WSP’s regions enhance these checks through their regional procedures, including risk classifications and verification of certifications. In regions where the supplier vetting system has been implemented, all suppliers are required to answer sustainability questions. WSP seeks to work with vendors who provide sustainable products and services and has agreements in place with key suppliers to provide energy efficient equipment, recycled paper and recycling services for electronic equipment. To support its scope 3 GHG emissions reduction target, WSP also plans to develop an action plan to further engage with its major suppliers to reduce emissions associated with purchased goods and services.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

2) Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

 

Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria does not correspond to any SDG.

Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

This case study is based on published information by WSP, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.wsp.com/en-GL/investors/reports-and-filings/esg-report

Note to WSP: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How WSP promotes sustainability among its suppliers appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How WSP promotes business integrity https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-wsp-promotes-business-integrity/ Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:49:26 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10125 WSP is a leading global professional services firm, providing engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors. in its daily dealings with employees, clients and other business partners. This case study is based on the 2018 Global Sustainability Report by WSP published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy […]

The post Case study: How WSP promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> WSP is a leading global professional services firm, providing engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors. WSP’s reputation notably depends on its ability to be world class professionals, which means acting with honesty, integrity and transparency  Tweet This! in its daily dealings with employees, clients and other business partners.

This case study is based on the 2018 Global Sustainability Report by WSP published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

WSP has a number of objectives focusing on strategically positioning Compliance and Ethics matters by increasing the governance surrounding its Compliance and Ethics programme, which includes its anti-corruption and privacy policies, as well as on creating high-impact communications to give policies and programmes strong visibility. In order to promote business integrity WSP took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • show zero tolerance for corruption
  • encourage employees to raise concerns

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Global Sustainability Report WSP identified a range of material issues, such as employment practices, environmental compliance, occupational health and safety, climate change resilience, employee training and education. Among these, promoting business integrity stands out as a key material issue for WSP.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups WSP engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 

 

 

 ·      Employee surveys

·      Townhall meetings

·      Information cascaded from leadership, via team meetings

·      Global internal communications (intranet, emails) and local intranets

·      Annual and Sustainability Reports

·      Leadership interviews
Investors and analysts

 

 ·      Investor relations activities including: investor days, meetings, roadshows, conferences, discussion with senior executives and market sector experts, conference calls

·      Website postings

·      Financial reports

·      Press releases and media relations

·      Annual Information Form and Annual Report

·      Annual Meeting of Shareholders

·      Site visits to explain WSP’s project work
Clients

 

 

 

 ·      Project communications

·      Project feedback received from clients

·      Client interviews

·      Thought leadership communications
Business partners, including subcontractors, joint venture and consortium partners ·      Project communications

 
Suppliers ·      Procurement
Governments, including regulatory authorities ·      Project work communications involving government agencies

 
Industry bodies ·      Participation on key industry association committees

·      Attendance at industry functions

·      Sponsorship of industry events and research

·      Trade show displays

·      Thought leadership
Local communities

 

 ·      Consultation on behalf of clients within projects

·      Local community involvement/charity work

·      Sponsorship and donations

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics WSP reviewed sustainability topics with external and internal stakeholders via questionnaires and individual conversations. External stakeholders were comprised of investors and clients, while internal stakeholders included employees, regional sustainability leaders and corporate function leads overseeing areas related to WSP’s environmental, social and governance impacts.

What actions were taken by WSP to promote business integrity?

In its 2018 Global Sustainability Report WSP reports that it took the following actions for promoting business integrity:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • On a global level, WSP has a Code of Conduct, a Gifts, Entertainment and Hospitality Policy, a Working with Third Parties Policy, an Anti-Corruption Policy, and a Global Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Code”), which apply to all operating entities as well as WSP’s directors, officers, employees and contract workers. The Board of Directors is responsible for approving the Code of Conduct, which was last amended and approved in March 2019. The Code is accessible to all employees through WSP’s intranet sites, and to the public via its website. It is available in several different languages, to facilitate its use in regions where WSP primarily operates. Additionally, WSP’s Third Party Code of Conduct summarises the values set out in the Code as they apply to third parties, providing a set of governing principles for ethical behaviour when interacting with WSP or on its behalf.
  • Showing zero tolerance for corruption
  • WSP has a zero-tolerance policy to all forms of corruption, whether direct or indirect. It is subject to strict anti-corruption laws, including the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA), the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the UK Bribery Act (UKBA). WSP’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance to all forms of corruption extends beyond regulatory compliance and includes an extensive e-learning onboarding and refresher training, live training sessions for key employees, communications with employees, and tailored compliance tools. WSP manages and assesses risks for corruption in several ways, which include the following:
    • Enterprise Risk Management
    • Due diligence procedures for business partners, as described in the Working with Third Parties Policy. These are notably based on country, transaction, and relationship risks.
    • Global and regional Delegation of Authority policies
    • Global and regional project risk committees
    • “Guidelines for High Risk Countries and Regions”, which list the countries and regions deemed “high risk” for corruption, safety and security and establish requirements to conduct business in such locations. The guidelines are available to all employees via WSP’s intranet, are updated regularly and were last updated in February 2019.
  • In addition, to identify and manage Gifts, Entertainment and Hospitality (GEH) and Conflicts of Interest, WSP uses the GEH and Conflicts of Interest Registry. The link to the online Registry is available on WSP’s intranet sites, and user guides, video tutorials and regional guidelines on using the Registry are also available.
  • Encouraging employees to raise concerns
  • WSP’s “Confidential Business Conduct Hotline” provides a means for employees as well as the public to raise issues of concern anonymously, with a third-party service provider. Access to information about the hotline is highly visible through a direct click from the front page of global and regional intranets, the website, regular internal communications, videos, presentations and poster campaigns in certain regions.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Anti-corruption

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by WSP, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to WSP: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How WSP promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How WSP promotes diversity https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-wsp-promotes-diversity/ Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:09:27 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=9118 As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the Property
& Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources and Power & Energy sectors, with 36,000 employees in 500 offices across 40 countries, WSP is committed to building an inclusive culture that respects and maximises the contribution of its people for the benefit of clients, shareholders and wider communities. This case study is based on the 2016 Global Sustainability Report by WSP published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we […]

The post Case study: How WSP promotes diversity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the Property
& Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources and Power & Energy sectors, with 36,000 employees in 500 offices across 40 countries, WSP is committed to building an inclusive culture that respects and maximises the contribution of its people for the benefit of clients, shareholders and wider communities.

This case study is based on the 2016 Global Sustainability Report by WSP published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Layout 1

Abstract

WSP seeks to provide
 a professional and fair working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect  Tweet This!, free from harassment, bullying and discrimination. In order to promote diversity WSP took action to:

  • implement a Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • carry out regional diversity actions
  • provide equal opportunities
  • promote gender diversity
  • provide equal pay

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2016 Global Sustainability Report WSP identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, occupational health and safety, training and education, emissions, anti-corruption. Among these, promoting diversity stands out as a key material issue for WSP.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups WSP engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees

 

 

 

 

 ·      Employee surveys

·      Townhall meetings

·      Information cascaded from leadership, via team meetings

·      Global internal communications (intranet, emails) and local intranets

·      Annual and Sustainability Reports

·      Leadership interviews

·      Ad hoc engagement: in 2016, 350 employees took part in a brand survey
Investors and analysts

 

 ·      Investor relations activities including: investor days, meetings, roadshows, conferences, discussion with senior executives, conference calls

·      Website postings

·      Financial reports

·      Press releases and media relations

·      Annual Information Form and Annual Report

·      Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Clients

 

 

 

 ·      Project communications

·      Thought leadership/conferences

·      Feedback received from clients

·      Ad hoc engagement: client brand survey in 2016
Business partners, including subcontractors, joint venture and consortium partners ·      Project communications

 
Suppliers ·      Procurement
Governments, including regulatory authorities ·      Project work communications involving government agencies

 
Industry bodies ·      Participation on key industry association committees

·      Attendance at industry functions

·      Sponsorship of industry events and research

·      Trade displays

·      Thought leadership
Local communities

 

 ·      Consultation on behalf of clients within projects

·      Local community involvement/charity work

·      Sponsorship and donations

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics WSP engaged with external and internal stakeholders through questionnaires and individual conversations. External stakeholders included investors, clients and in some regions regulatory authorities, while internal stakeholders included employees.

What actions were taken by WSP to promote diversity?

In its 2016 Global Sustainability Report WSP reports that it took the following actions for promoting diversity:

  • Implementing a Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • WSP has a Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy, available for all employees and applicable to all its operating entities. Through the policy, WSP aims to:
    • ensure the fair and equal treatment of employees
    • foster a culture of diversity and inclusion globally
    • provide employees with the best opportunities to fulfill their potential
    • respect and protect the human rights of employees and contractors
  • Carrying out regional diversity actions
  • WSP carries out a variety of regional diversity actions, including the following:
    • Canada: 100 Days Challenge. The 100 Days Challenge is a programme that develops professionals unique in their field, revealing their talent, promoting a more ambitious attitude and propelling careers in innovative ways. The 2016 programme included 50 hours of training during 100 days for eleven women in the first cohort, with weekly online exercises; expert videos and online articles; multiple networking events; group workshops and conference calls; access to a unique business network; a final report to measure the impact of learning and support at all times.
    • US: US Diversity Committee. The diversity committee provides leadership, structure and accountability to diversity efforts in the US. It is sponsored by and has the full support of the US executive leadership team and aims to ensure that the firm continues to recognise, utilise and celebrate WSP’s diverse individuals; cultivate a balanced pipeline of qualified candidates; promote an inclusive community grounded in respect and appreciation of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans and other protected groups; and monitor and enforce compliance with all federal, state and local diversity laws and company diversity policies and procedures.
    • Australia/New Zealand: #engineeredHERway. #engineeredHERway is a recruitment campaign for WSP’s Australia and New Zealand business committed to improving diversity at WSP. The campaign provides regular updates on programmes that are available regarding gender equality, showcases extraordinary women in WSP’s business and seeks to attract additional senior women to join WSP.
    • UK: Women in Leadership (WiL) Network. The Women in Leadership network is closely aligned with WSP’s UK equality, diversity and inclusion strategy. WiL works with the business to help develop the right environment to enable women at WSP to reach their full potential, and to increase the number of women at senior levels. The network is open to all employees – women and men – at all levels of the business and across all UK offices. WiL provides a platform for its members to influence WSP’s business culture, and exposes them to senior colleagues from different teams and offices.
  • Providing equal opportunities
  • WSP is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. Accordingly, WSP does not tolerate harassment or unfair discrimination against employees or contract staff in its recruitment and employment policies, terms and conditions, procedures, processes and decisions, on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, part-time or fixed-term status, disability, age, religion or belief. WSP monitors and addresses discrimination incidents, according to corporate policy.
  • Promoting gender diversity
  • In 2016, WSP recruited Fannie Jacques as Vice President, Global Human Resources. Fannie Jacques has a track record of developing women in leadership roles and promoting gender balance within the workplace. Additionally, she has supported organisations in creating strategies to attract, develop and raise the profile of women in professional settings.
  • Providing equal pay
  • WSP’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy calls for fair and equal treatment of employees free from discrimination, and includes specifically pay discrimination as an area of focus. WSP monitors pay equity data internally and is committed to equal pay for its employees, constantly seeking opportunities to strengthen its balanced approach to compensation. Accordingly, WSP works internally to prioritise equal remuneration strategies with stakeholders in human resources and management, and to refine its tracking and analytics.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees

2) Disclosure 405-2 Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men

3) Disclosure 406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

 

Disclosure 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees corresponds to:

Disclosure 405-2 Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men corresponds to:

Disclosure 406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Business theme: Non-discrimination
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Business theme: Non-discrimination
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Non-discrimination

 

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References:

1) This case study is based on published information by WSP, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

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